There were several FL Moore record shops dotted around the northern home counties in Dunstable, Stevenage, Hatfield, Hitchin, Luton, and Leighton Buzzard. Unlike many indie record shops Fred Moore’s various shops survived into the 1990s with a change of name to FM Records being his only concession to the modern era.
- COLIN CURTIS TALKS WITH IAN 'PEP' PEREIRA THE CATACOMBS WOLVERHAMPTON HITMIX RADIO... - Podomatic, 18 February 2023
Comments
Name: lightninreed
Comment: Down to Fred Moore's in Bury Park - with its great second-hand section. Found MC5 and The Stooges there - never looked back. I can almost smell the vinyl...
Name: Michael Snell
Comment: I remember buying CDs from FL Moore in Stevenage! Was a great shop.
(20 May 2017)
Name: Richard Wright
Comment: FL Moore in North Street, Leighton Buzzard was the first record shop I went to in the mid-1980s. I used to cycle from my home in Hockliffe on a Saturday morning after I'd been paid for my paper round usually to get a 12" single, unless I'd been given extra cash, in which case I might afford an album.
I discovered a lot of new music there including early Human League and Scritti Politti, and spent a lot of time in the back room looking through the albums.
I also used to occasionally frequent the Dunstable branch. I remember buying It'll End In Tears by This Mortal Coil there. Great days!
(2023)
Name: Michael Johnson
Comment: I notice you have FL Moore's in Luton. This was my main record buying shop. I can remember hearing many a strange record there, such as the first Faust LP, with clear vinyl and clear sleeve. I saw it in the racks, asked to listen to it and bought it straight away. They also gave me a free copy of The Faust Tapes years later (perhaps because I was the only person who actually bought Faust.) They were also good in the punk/new wave years, always having a box of new release singles on the counter.
Name: Jane Andrews
Comment: I worked for Fred Moore many, many years ago at FL Moore Records in Stevenage alongside Andy, the manager, Mandy, Tony, and Sylvie. My first job and what a great team we were. I send my well wishes to all if any are still in touch!
(26 May 2017)
Name: Andy Cobbin
Comment: FL Moore’s, wow that brings back some memories I used to get one album a week but always wanted another and used to have it put aside for me. I spent many hours flicking through the albums.
(2018)
Name: Neil Emery
Comment: FL Moore in Dunstable - spent many a blissful hour looking at all the Peter Hammill and King Crimson albums I couldn’t afford. Always managed to get singles at the discount price of 99p - thanks Gemma! Don’t Box Me In by Stan Ridgeway and Stewart Copeland springs to mind. Then off to the Queensway hall for a free coffee - thanks Paula & Tracey.
“JUNIOR SALES ASSISTANT (16 years) required for our Dunstable branch. Applicants must be of smart appearance & have an interest in all types of music. Apply: Mrs. Shepherd, F. L. MOORE RECORDS LTD., 22 High St., South Dunstable. Tel.: Dunstable 607626.”
... and this in the 2nd October 1986 edition:
“F. L. MOORE (RECORDS) LTD. Due to the opening of our new Hatfield Branch and the subsequent relocation of staff, we now have the following vacancies at out Dunstable Branch. EXPERIENCED SALES ASSISTANT. With at least 12 months previous experience working in a record shop. The ideal applicant should have a real interest in music and not be afraid of hard work. JUNIOR SALES ASSISTANT. Eligable for YTS, and ideally with ‘O’ Levels in Maths and English, although the ability to work hard is more important. He/she should be bright and enthusiastic and have a real interest in popular music. Apply in writing or in person to: F. L. MOORE (Records) LTD., 22 High Street, South Dunstable, Beds. Tel: 607626.”
... also this in 'Luton on Sunday' dated 27th February 1994:
“CLEARANCE SALE - EVERYTHING MUST GO. UP TO 75% DISCOUNT OFF ORIGINAL PRICES. LOAD’S OF CD’s, VINYL, TAPES, 12in. SINGLES, SECONDHAND LP’S & SINGLES.
RECORD RESPONSE, 165 DUNSTABLE ROAD. TEL: 20423.
Re-opening March 14th as F. L. Moore Records.”
“ANOTHER BRANCH OF F. L. MOORE (RECORDS) LTD., 70 PARK STREET, LUTON. Tel. 39294.”